"I recently graduated from GCU with a Master's in Special Education. I absolutely loved the program. That is not to say that it did not require a lot of hard work, with dedicated time to study and write papers, as well as make regular posts. There were many life events that I had to pass on so that I could maintain my focus and good grades. I had the opportunity to also be teaching in Special Education while attending school and every class aligned and helped me with my actual job. The online learning platform was easy to navigate, and I received timely feedback when I did reach out to my professors. I also completed part of my undergrad in an online setting and I can say hands down that my experience with GCU far exceeded my expectations. I am already considering continuing on with my Doctorate. Deciding to further your education does take internal motivation and the drive to be organized and stay the course, even when it's not fun. GCU offers a great platform to be able to do this when you cannot attend on campus."

Wendy

Reviewed: 2/14/2021
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2022

"So, I'm 18 credits into my Master's, which is a 44 credit degree, and I have to say it has already benefitted my career quite a bit. The Special Education Law classes were particularly helpful. From reading other reviews, I think it helps that I was already working in Special Education when I started. I am an Alternative Routes to Licensure (ARL) candidate in Utah. Recently, ARL program candidates where changed from being considered a fully professional license to an associate educator license, which is a downgrade. I was concerned about that happening, so I enrolled in the GCU Master's program this last April. The first course was helpful because I haven't been in college for 18 years, and I didn't know what APA style was. We used something else when I went, and I didn't remember how to do it anyway. My enrollment advisor tipped me off to citation generators, which was also new. They reviewed educator ethics, which I think is always helpful. People act like they don't need this class, but if you don't think you need to pay conscious attention to your ethics, then you probably aren't very self-aware. A reminder about why we're here and what we're trying to do is always relevant. Then next class surveyed the disabilities and the SpEd categories, information I have used frequently in my job. Then, the Law classes hit. I worked very hard at them and earned an A and a B+ (89.8%. Sheesh). Halfway through the first law class, I took my PRAXIS test for Special Education Mild to Moderate. The few classes I'd taken made all the difference in the world to passing that test. I fully expected to need to take it more than once, as I had heard of educators failing the first time though they had more experience than I. I passed it the first time! My principal was impressed, and it gave me a legitimacy at my work that I had not had before. It asked specifically about content that was exactly what was covered in my GCU courses. Without those classes, I would have failed, I'm sure. I use information I learned at GCU for every IEP I write and hold meetings for. Yes, it is largely self driven. If you want someone to hold your hand, you'd better not take an online course. It was a shock when I saw how much I had to figure out for myself, but, I wouldn't know what to research or write about without the course curriculum. The teachers I've had so far have been responsive to my e-mails and questions. Right now, I have a 3.8 GPA, which hasn't been easy. People complain about the writing, but that's the only way to do an online course. You can cheat at a traditionally-styled test if you take it at home, online. You can't cheat at a benchmark that requires you to make tables and write 750 word reflections, etc, at least not without a much greater risk of getting caught. I'm pretty happy with what I've learned. It doesn't teach you everything, but Professional Development is a lifelong process. I plan on locking down my Master's degree and then supplementing it with additional classes every year. It is an investment, but if you're wanting to be rich, don't be a teacher. I'm a single Mom, paying my own way, and this is just how it is, no matter what college you go to. College is expensive in the U.S. But, for people like me, who can't get to a brick-and-mortar classroom, GCU gets the job done. I didn't want to be a banker, or an admin assistant, or a public relations manager, all of which I'm qualified to be. I wanted to be a teacher, and this is the cost of being a teacher. It's my favorite job ever, though it is definitely not an easy job. Sorry to people who had a bad experience. I've already had a very beneficial one, and I'm not even halfway through."

Miranda Underwood

Reviewed: 10/12/2019
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2019

"The initial reason I chose Grand Canyon University to pursue my Masters Degree is because of how many recommendations I got from friends who pursued the same degree. Unfortunately my experience has been far different than theirs and I am extremely disappointed that I chose to get my Masters Degree here. While there are some professors who are very helpful and care about their work, many do not care and it ruins the experience. So many of my professors gave assignments that were hard to understand, and when asked for clarification, they stated this is GCUs curriculum. I was left in the dark to complete many of my assignments on my own and it was very nerve-racking never knowing if you were going to get an A or an F because you are doing what you think you should. I have had professors belittle me by making comments like Why would you do this? Makes no sense in the comment section of a rubric. My student services counselor forgot to send in an extremely important document that I sent to her regarding grant money and I was unable to receive the grant which cost me an additional $5,000. When asked if there was anything more I could have done to prevent this, they stated, you could have called to remind me. I called multiple times and left voicemails with no response! So unprofessional and in all honestly, a disgrace to masters programs everywhere. I wish I could go back and change my mind on where I wanted to pursue this degree. I do NOT recommend this school for anyone until they get more organized and friendlier professors."

Tricia

Reviewed: 2/17/2019
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2018

"The majority of the program was excellent. The professors are usually helpful and grade promptly. However, I had the worse experience with the two classes designed to help teach specific subjects (Math and English). The courses are not designed with students with special needs in mind. Instead, the classes are geared at general education classrooms. Instead of providing advice and techniques to teach students who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities we are required to touch on that subject in a single area of the 5-page lesson plan format. The math teacher is expecting us to write impractical 20-page lesson plans. I was graded poorly on a 12-page lesson plan because it was not detailed enough. Her initial feedback was good, but then it just became rude and unnecessary. The information that was in one area of the lesson plan she wanted repeated throughout the lesson plan (we couldn't refer back to it) and required full scripts of potential dialogue to be written out. DR is one of the worse and most impractical teachers I have had the displeasure of working in within my 15-year academic career. She claimed researched, and peer-reviewed techniques were not useful or practical but did not explain her reasoning or offer what she considered to be more practical suggestions."

Malinda

Reviewed: 1/14/2019
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2021

"Grand Canyon University is a scamming institution and the other reviews here are accurate. I too feel dumb being duped and wish I would have looked at reviews before enrolling. They claim to be a Christian institution but act like money hungry heathens. I am a stay at home mom trying to get my masters in English Education and needed an online course to help my struggling family financially. They made all these promises and were so sweet on the phone. They take up hours of your time manipulating and coercing you that you can do it. Claiming you only need to work a few hours 3 days per week. Its triple that work load. They do not care if you are barely passing the class. They do not care if the instructor is lazy and terrible at explaining things. They only offer to talk to the professor when you are already failing and nothing can be done about your grade. They do not care if the teacher triples the work load right after the cut off for getting a full refund on tuition. Their first intro class is boring, endless busy work, way more work than any online course I have ever taken at CWU, terribly taught, confusing, and over $1,000! My family was going through a sudden death in the family and I became extremely ill due to grief and almost went to the hospital the week after I enrolled. I tried unenrolling on time but was too sick to sit at the computer and when I finally was able to I got the run around with how to unenroll. I finally spent two hours searching for myself to find out how to do it. I was only 2 days away from the cut off with unenrolling and they refuse to refund me. They do not make allowances for extreme situations. They lie over and over that there is nothing they can do. I do not have $1,000 to fork over. I got the same fake persona salesman liar from their manager even after explaining my circumstances. I had been using all financial aid to help pay for this degree and planned on paying it off myself when I got a teaching job. Now instead of blessing my family its cursing it. They will only give you 4 months to pay it off with a payment plan. I wish I could give zero stars. Bottom line run away from this fake lying greedy university!"

go girl

Reviewed: 12/5/2018
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2010

"Grand Canyon's online Master's program was the perfect program for me. It allowed me to obtain my degree while working full-time in my current job. The degree allowed me to advance within my company and as a professional in the community. The work required me to apply my education in real life situations through observations, teaching opportunities with partner schools, and through submission of a multitude of work. Great teachers that worked with you, especially in those times when a student didn't "show up" for their part in a group project. I actually have made a lifelong friend through my program as well. We still to this day communicate to share curriculum and the most recent developments in special education. I recommend the online school for anyone who needs flexibility in their educational goals."

You are simply paying for a piece of paper not an education.

Reviewed: 3/19/2017
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2017

"Save your money and go to a school that is actually interested in teaching you. GCU hires teachers across the country that are not involved in the online system, do not grade in any reasonable time and are simply lazy. Furthermore, they are far from qualified, I received a message from Tennant Leary, a professor that stated "I like meant to deduct 10%", I'm not sure of any level of education where a prof's articulation in that manner is acceptable. GCU is unwilling to do anything about their poor instruction quality and simply say they will work with the teacher."

Mattie

Reviewed: 1/30/2017
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2016

"Took two graduate courses for additional credit on teacher's pay scale. I had an awful experience with 2 out of 3 instructors and would advise educators looking for this type of credit to STAY AWAY FROM THIS INSTITUTION. They are inconsistent with their courses in terms of actually having rubrics to guide expectations for work completion. They hire individuals who have equivalent educations and experience to the students (i.e., under-qualified instructors), and they do not and will not treat you like the working professional you already are."

Gwendetta Jones

Reviewed: 7/8/2016
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2016

"I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at GCU. I was battling cancer when I enrolled, and the admission adviser was very helpful and even told me that he understood if I wanted to delay my enrollment. The professors for the most part are very informative and got back in touch with me immediately when I had questions about assignments. I only had two dipsticks for professors; however, the others were very professional. I would recommend this school to anyone who does a lot of traveling because I was able to travel and still complete assignments on time, no matter what the time zone. You must be extremely disciplined in order to participate in any online class, and despite spending most of my weekends when I wasn't traveling doing assignments and discussions I was able to maintain a 3.90 GPA. My overall experience has been memorable' never had a problem with financial aid, and I even had a scholarship from this university. I finished my last class on June 22, 2016; not I am just waiting for my diploma to arrive."

Ally

Reviewed: 3/11/2016
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2012

"This school supports their students no matter near or far. They are professional, organized and honest through and through. My professors were always there to help me with 24 hrs. However, I don't know if I will have the saw experience with my doctorate. All of my books were convenient and there at the drop of a coin!"

Excited to teach

Reviewed: 4/9/2015
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2016

"I was fearful to attend the online program. I read several negetive reviews and had not been to school in over a decade. My advisors are just amazing, and they put my mind at ease. The work is intensive. I've spent many sleepless nights. I suggest that if there are any quizzes to NOT click on the quiz until you are ready to take the quiz. I failed a quiz because of my curiosity. Also to recieve full participation points have 3 days of posts in addition to your inital response of EACH discussion post.(total 4 posts, 3 days) Also, having a profreading is essential. With an online classes usually after the 3rd week the work becomes more and more intense. I suggest to look ahead of what is expected in the sixth week. I had to do clinical around two high holidays and it proved to be difficult. If I planned ahead and looked ahead it would not have been such a scramble to get it done. Also with clinicals go to the schools ahead of time and get the proper paper work done. GCU's requirements are different from the requirements in my area as far as background checks. Being computer literate is important. I know that goes without saying, but true."

R.J.

Reviewed: 3/22/2015
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2016

"I hesitated joining this school due to reviews but I'm almost at my financial aid limit. I'm a single mom and just graduated with my M.B.A. last year. It was hard but I could manage it. I'm not sure if I'm going to drop or not though at GCU. The material is great but the work load is overwhelming. I'm up til 3 a.m. every night and still can't get it all done. I knew at enrollment that we had to post and comment three separate days during the school week for the hefty participation points. That was ok. My second class boosted it up to eight responses. I spend all my time keeping up with that and it leaves little time for hefty assignments. If I drop now, I'm stuck with like a 5 grand bill. If I keep going at this rate, my health and work will suffer. I feel like it's unfair to state certain requirements then change it after a student has signed up. My M.B.A. had intense workloads bug you knew what it was, when it was due and you could build a life / school balance around it. This is so unorganized. The teacher will also assign two projects due on one day. There is only an option to upload one file. I've tried merging them into a pdf but then she misses one and marks it late."

Jenn

Reviewed: 2/1/2015
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2015

"I have attended online schools as well as State Colleges, Universities and Community Colleges. I have enjoyed each experience and disliked different aspects of each school. Overall, I would say that Grand Canyon University (online) has been my favorite school. I felt that two discussions plus three replies a week was a bit much but it was not difficult to do. I enjoyed the assignments and completed my Masters program with a 4.0, my undergraduate was a 3.67. I received a good education here and as a result of my practicum and course work began employment as a teacher earning me a $6000 increase in pay this year. I am disciplined and able to work online, I learn better through reading the content and researching on my own, I am a good note taker so I do not struggle in a traditional setting but prefer not to sit and listen to a lecture. We all have different learning styles and people need to be aware of how this may impact their experience. I was able to get in contact with my advisers easily and never felt any frustration. I am considering pursuing my PhD here as a result of my positive experience. I am proud to be an alumni of this school."

N.A.

Reviewed: 1/24/2015
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2015

"I literally just started in 12/14. I read reviews first...some great some bad. I know some ppl just complain though out of pure nature. I'm not looking for a degree hand-out. I have my M.B.A. from University of the Southwest. Why I didn't look there for teaching, not sure. I realized I can't work 40-60 hours a week in business as a single mom, I love kids and want to teach. This may seem silly but it's a potential deal-breaker for students. They have two online discussion postings a week and you have to respond on three separate days. If you are single, no kids...this is manageable. If you are a single mom with two, young kids, who blame you for liking school more than them every time you log on...not so much. If work requirements prevent you from that much online class participation, than don't go here. USW was one posting a week, responding to three students...be it all on one night or over seven days. My biggest frustration so far is that I spend so much time on discussion questions and responses that I can't devote the time I want to on actual studies. I see the point in online peer support but not to the degradation of studies. I honestly feel that by graduate school, you should have your own ideas on things and self-motivation to the point where discussion posts are mandatory. I tried to drop but I'd owe over a grand for the first class...guess I better get used to this. To others...check out USW. I went to Western Governors University but couldn't get used to their policy where everything was due at the end. It's really hard work that can't be crammed in. I wish I had returned to USW. Too late now."

Dee Morrison

Reviewed: 11/11/2014
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2014

"If anyone went to a traditional institution do not attempt this online debacle. The program is long, redundant, and full of "instructors" that have never taught in the field. The assignments are pointless (powerpoints, pathlets) long drawn out assignments that they do not read. There are a few courses with instructors who like to be overly meticulous on format but not content. There is no actual learning at this institution. You pay your money, you get a degree."

Beverley Allred

Reviewed: 7/16/2014
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2014

"Group work within the classes can be frustrating because all the students are in different time zones."

Anonymous

Reviewed: 8/20/2013
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year:

"Tell us about your college experience.My experience simply was not good. I have had numerous errors, including being one of their top students, but receiving a letter that said I was failing so badly I was on Academic probation (at the same time that I had an A average). I also have had a horrible issue lately. A student was rude to me and excluded me from a CLC assignment and then told the instructor that I was not part of the CLC. I had done one CLC assignment and completely pulled my own weight, plus I had met every deadline and was carrying an A. The student berated me, compared me to people who had nothing to do with me, caused me embarrassment and ruined my reputation with the instructor and school. I reported this and looked for help and what is rapidly happening is that I am being penalized over it. I am not learning anything - I find assignments and classes boring at best. Not to mention that they don't even give you contact numbers for people to call for problems, but I did find a few ways around this. I am rapidly being railroaded and my grades suffering. I had huge hope for this degree and to get a teaching license for a future and career as a single lady. This is not yet resolved but what has been occurring here is a real nightmare.Would you get the same degree if you could start over?I want out of Special Education - this school ruined that for me. The field of Education itself is fine - I just want to transfer to another school.What advice can you offer other students?Check out reviews and how highly rated online colleges are before you sign on the dotted line. About GCU - run away as far and as fast as you can!"

Lisa Moore

Reviewed: 5/7/2013
Degree: Special Education
Graduation Year: 2010

"Grand Canyon University does not help their students. They are only out for money and that is all. I had a family emergency, put my family first and it has cost me more money than anything. Thy are holding my transcripts, so I can't start another school or anything with my education. They are not willing to help the student out, who are the ones that PAY their salaries.I signed a MOU to begin classes in February, and since there was a balance on my existing account they would not let me start any class. The bad thing was I was told by 3 different people from Grand Canyon University my balance was 3 different totals. After 2 degrees and a returning student they would have mercy and be willing to help.If you are thinking of this school, I would run the other way. They are only out for the money.....sad but so true! and they say ''we are a Christian College'' they can sell that bull to someone else, because this student has become starter now!"